"At least three law enforcement officers were killed and three others injured in a shooting Sunday in Baton Rouge, officials said.
A suspect was also dead in a gun battle with police. Two other suspects may also be at large, officials said.
The shooting which happened just before 9 a.m., less than 1 mile from police headquarters comes amid spiraling tensions across the city, Louisiana's capital and the country between the black community and police.
A police robot was brought in to ensure there were no explosives on the dead suspect or in the vicinity.
A witness told WBRZ-TV, a man was dressed in black with his face covered was shooting indiscriminately when he walked out between a convenience store and car wash across from Hammond Air Plaza, according to Fox radio affiliate WJBO.
Multiple police units were stationed at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, where the officers were taken. A police officer with a long gun was blocking the parking lot at the emergency room.
Spokeswoman Ashley Mendoza said the hospital received five patients from the police shooting, all "law enforcement professionals." Of the two who survived the shooting, one is in critical condition and the other is in fair condition."
---They are already reporting it was planned, someone called in a shootout between groups in that area to bring a large number of police about to assist, then they were ambushed.